Sacred calendar
Observances
The days the tradition sets apart, and simple ways to keep them at home.
Every month
- Amavasya PremiumThe new Moon closes the lunar month: a quiet night for rest, release and remembering those who came before.
- Purnima PremiumThe full Moon: a night of fullness, gratitude and gentle devotion in the moonlight.
- Ekadashi The eleventh lunar day, dedicated to Vishnu: eat lightly and turn toward his names.
- Pradosh Vrat The thirteenth lunar day at dusk, sacred to Shiva: light a lamp and chant in the twilight window.
- Sankashti Chaturthi The fourth day of the waning Moon, dedicated to Ganesha: pray in the evening and close at moonrise.
- Masik Shivaratri Shiva's night each month, on the fourteenth of the waning Moon: a still night for japa and meditation.
Sacred times
Festivals
- Chaitra Navratri PremiumNine spring nights honouring the Devi, opening the Hindu new year and culminating in Ram Navami.
- Sharad Navratri PremiumNine autumn nights of devotion to Durga, ending in Vijayadashami, the celebration of good over ignorance.
- Ram Navami The birth of Shri Rama at midday on Chaitra Shukla Navami: a day of devotion to dharma.
- Hanuman Jayanti Celebrating Hanuman, the embodiment of strength in service and devotion, on Chaitra Purnima.
- Guru Purnima The full Moon of Ashadha, honouring Vyasa and every teacher who has guided you.
- Krishna Janmashtami PremiumShri Krishna's birth at midnight on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami: a night of joyful devotion.
- Ganesh Chaturthi Welcoming Ganesha, lord of beginnings, on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi with prayer, modak and joy.
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) PremiumThe festival of lights on Kartika Amavasya: Lakshmi Puja at dusk in a clean, lamp-lit home.
- Mahashivratri SadhakThe great night of Shiva in Phalguna: night-long vigil, abhisheka and japa in the four praharas.
- Makar Sankranti The Sun enters Capricorn and turns north: a harvest festival of gratitude, sesame and sharing.